1999... I think that might have been the year I upgraded from an i386 to one of those fabulous 486 chips! I couldn't let all those 100 Mhz CPU cycles go to waste. I didn't run 24/7 in those days either; dialed up an internet connection when a work unit was done -- uploaded the result and downloaded ONE new one, all at a blazing 9600 bps. No way to keep up with today's multiple-GPU crunchers but still chugging away on Seti, as well as a couple of other Boinc projects to carry through any Seti slack times.

I think it won't even be 20 years that we'll be running a hundred tasks at a time on a smartwatch, while it is streaming a movie to the wall screen and we're talking to others with it's video screen. But we'll still be griping about shorties and bandwidth! Another Fred
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I'm not AWOL, just reporting in six days late!! Don't plan to be leaving any time soon. 13 years, doesn't seem that long but, 6 machines/countless CPU upgrades/3 op systems/four printers and countless HDD replacements/upgrades.

I'm still here. FWIW I can't believe how far the technology has progressed.
For me it all started on a 486 system and now I have a high performance CPU and 2 video cards that do the same work in seconds.

When I started my user group, we had about 20 active users that would do the same work I now do on one computer.

Just happened to think about it: today is my 13th! I think it's the first time in a few years I've noted it on the day and not missed it by a few.DavidSitting on my butt while others boldly go,
Waiting for a message from a small furry creature from Alpha Centauri.